Playground device.



W. C. MILLS.

v PLAYGROUND DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED FEB.'I9.19I7.

Patented May 7,1918.

R5. mm

W M m T L m WITNES Es:

HTTORIYE TJNTTED PATENT WALTER C. MILLS, OF UNION CITY, INDIANA.

PLAYGROUND DEVICE.

Application filed February 19, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER C. h/lnlLs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Union City, in the county of Randolph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Playground Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in play-ground devices.

A popular and useful game practised by physical instructors is known as jumping the bag. In playing this game the participants occupy positions at equal distances from the instructor who swings in a circle a weighted bag attached to the end of a line or cord. The bag, once in motion, the instructor continues to swing same, the object being to cause the line to assume substantially horizontal alinement and at a height suited to the players, it being necessary for them to jump at the proper moment to permit the passing of the line. To accomplish the alinement of the cord, as aforesaid, the instructor, as he swings the bag, crouches lower and lower until finally he lies prone, and in this position he maintains the swinging movement of the cord.

Besides the fact that unusual skill is required in swinging the line as above described, it becomes necessary, each time the line may have been caused to fall, either by reason of the bag striking on the ground, or by a player having failed to clear the line, for the instructor to repeat the above described maneuver and performance to produce the swinging movement of the line.

To provide a device with a line or rod member mounted to be swung in a circle, and means to manually operate same, is the general object of this invention- More specific purposes of the invention are to provide a play-ground device of the kind described that will be of simple construction, easy to install and to operate, and which will be rugged and durable and economical of manufacture.

This invention contemplates the arrangement of a frame structure upon which the operator or instructor may occupy a position central of the area over which the players are positioned, there being a gearing supported by the frame and operable by the instructor, and a radially disposed rod or arm having such connection with the gear- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May "2, 1918.

Serial No. 149,652.

ing, that the said rod is swung in a circular path.

In the drawings the several parts of the device are identified by suitable characters of reference applied thereto, in the different views, in which Figure 1 is a side view of my improved play ground device, a part of the main gear wheel and the deck member being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, as shown in Fig. l.

The base member of my improved play ground device may be made of cast iron of the general form and proportion as shown. Formed integral with the base plate A at its center is a column A which has a stem A of suitable diameter and which constitutes a bearing upon which a gear wheel C is journaled. Disposed at position above the gear wheel G is a platform or deck member. This deck member may consist of a cast iron plate D of the form and proportion as shown. A central boss D formed on its under side has a suitable bore to fit on the upper portion of the stem A By a set screw E carried by the said boss D the deck member is secured at its position shown. Journaled in a boss D formed on the top of plate D is a vertical shaft F which is sustained at proper height by a collar F secured thereto and which rests on the top of the boss D On the lower end of shaft F is secured a gear wheel G which meshes with gear wheel C. By means of a crank H secured to the top of the shaft F, the said shaft may be rotated by the player who stands on the deck plate D. Secured to the lug C which is formed on the bottom of the gear wheel C is an arm K. A vertical stud K carried by this arm K constitutes a support member which carries a slender metal rod L. This rod may be from siX to eight feet in length and on the end of same is provided a ball L by which the players are enabled to easily distinguish the range of the area traversed by the rod in its swinging circular travel. The inner end of the rod is provided with a suitable wrist block M, the vertical bore of which engages the stud K By means of a set screw M this Wrist block may be fastened at such adjusted position on the stud K at which it may be set. It is apparent that by this arrangement the rod L may be adjusted to and retained at different desiredhei-ghts to suit the pleasure of the players.

This improved playground device in readiness for use appears as shown in Fig. 1. The number of players who may engage in the game afforded by this device, may range from say three, to ten or twelve persons. The player who may occupy position on the deck plate D may be designated as theoinstructor. The players assume such positions as they may desire within the range of the area traversed by the rod L. The instructorthen by operating the crank H causes movement of the gear wheels G and C thereby causing the rod 'L to be swung in a circle of which the column A is the center. In order that the rod may proceed unhindered in its travel each of the players is required to jump at the proper moment. The playing of the game proceeds in thismanner until a player fails to jump at the proper moment to permit the rod to pass. The player who so fails is then required to assume position on the deck plate D and operate the device, as above described, until his place may be taken. by another 'player who may have failed to permit the rod'to pass. A score may be registered so that a certain number of counts is charged against the player each time he fails to jump at the proper moment to perinit'the'passing of the rod. At the close of th'e'playing of the game, the winner-is the one who has the least number of counts charged against him.

What I claim as my'invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A play ground device, comprising a base member, a carrier member journaled for rotation on said base member, a deck her, and power transmitting connections be tween the said actuating device and the said carrier member. p

2. A play ground device, comprising a base member, a gear wheel journaled for rotation on said base member, a rod carried by said gear wheel,-a deck'menibersupported by'the base member, a vertical shaftj o'urnaled in the deck member and having a crank on its upper end, a gear wheel secured on the'low er end of said vertical shaft and which meshes wheel.

8. A play ground device, comprising a base niember,-a gear wheel journaled for retation on said base member, an' arm secured to said gear wheel and having upright stud thereonfa rod fastenedtos'aid'stud and capable of beingsecuredat difl'erent adjusted positions on said stud, a deck 'member supported by the base member, a vertical shaft jour'naled in the deck member and having a crank 011 its upper'end," a gear wheel secured on the lower endofsaid ven tical shaftand whichmeshes with the fi rst namedgearwheel.

In testimony whereof I "aflix mv in the presence of two witnesses. v

WALTER c. MILLS.

signature Witnes'ses:

J NO. MONTANO, W. WV. FOWLER.

Copies (if this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner (if-Patents,

Washington, I). G.

with the first named gear 

